Handheld showerhead with linear nozzle arrays

ABSTRACT

A handheld spray wand for showering, bathing, or the like. The spray wand including a fluid inlet and a nozzle portion in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The nozzle portion including a first nozzle array extending along a longitudinal direction of the nozzle portion and a second nozzle array positioned adjacent to the first nozzle array and extending along the longitudinal direction of the nozzle portion. Within the nozzle arrays, the nozzles are staggered to define a staggered water pattern as water exits the nozzle portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. non-provisional applicationSer. No. 15/422,450 entitled “Handheld pet spray wand,” filed on 1 Feb.2017, which claims the benefit of priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 62/289,833 filed 1 Feb. 2016entitled “Handheld pet spray wand” and U.S. provisional application No.62/289,855 filed 1 Feb. 2016 entitled “Handheld pet spray wand,” each ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology described herein relates to a handheld water spray deviceand, more specifically, to a handheld spray wand for particular use withpets.

BACKGROUND

Pets get dirty, especially dogs. It is desirable to bathe dirty pets onoccasion, especially pets that are allowed indoors with their humancompanions. Handheld sink and shower sprays are designed to meetparticular human needs such as washing dishes or human bathing. However,the designs of these handheld sprayers have not taken into considerationthe unique needs and circumstances of washing a pet.

The information included in this Background section of thespecification, including any references cited herein and any descriptionor discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes onlyand is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of theinvention as defined in the claims is to be bound.

SUMMARY

A handheld pet spray wand according to the present disclosure may beconfigured advantageously for use in washing or bathing a pet, forexample, a dog. The handheld pet spray wand may be configured forattachment to a hose that is further attached to a water supply source.The handheld pet spray wand may be operable to have a number of spraymodes to assist in the cleaning of the pet. The handheld pet spray wandmay further be configured to provide selective nozzle array sizesdesigned for both small and large pets. The form factor of the spraywand may further be ergonomically formed to provide a spray patternconforming to the body of the pet.

In one exemplary implementation, a handheld sprayer includes a watersupply connector and a handle housing the water supply connector. A modecontrol actuator may be attached to the handle. A may be valve fluidlyconnected with the water supply connector and adjusted by the modecontrol actuator. An elongate nozzle wand is in fluid communication withthe valve. The nozzle wand may be formed in an arcuate shape and providetwo linear nozzle arrays along a length of the elongate nozzle wand. Thevalve passes water flow through to a first of the linear nozzle arraysin either a constant low-flow mode or in a graduated, increasing flowmode. The valve passes water flow through to a second of the linearnozzle arrays, exclusive of the first linear nozzle array, in either aconstant low-flow mode or in a graduated, increasing flow mode.

In another implementation, a handheld spray wand is disclosed. The spraywand including a fluid inlet and a nozzle portion in fluid communicationwith the fluid inlet, the nozzle portion including a first nozzle arrayextending along a longitudinal direction of the nozzle portion and asecond nozzle array positioned adjacent to the first nozzle array andextending along the longitudinal direction of the nozzle portion, wherethe nozzles within the first nozzle array and the second nozzle arrayare staggered to define a staggered water pattern as water exits thenozzle pattern.

In yet another implementation, a handheld showerhead is disclosed thatincludes a handle portion configured to be fluidly connected to a watersource and a nozzle portion coupled to the handle portion. The nozzleportion including a first plurality of nozzles arranged in a line alonga line of the nozzle portion and a second plurality of nozzles arrangedin a long along a length of the nozzle portion and positioned adjacentto and staggered relative to the first plurality of nozzles.

In another implementation a spray wand is disclosed. The spray wandincluding a water inlet, a handle portion fluidly coupled to the waterinlet, and an elongated nozzle wand portion connected to the handleportion and fluidly coupled to the handle portion. The nozzle wandincluding a first linear row of nozzles extending in a first directionand a second linear row of nozzles extending in the first direction andoffset relative to the first linear row of nozzles.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. A moreextensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantagesof the present invention as defined in the claims is provided in thefollowing written description of various embodiments of the inventionand illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top isometric view of a handheld pet spray wand accordingto an exemplary implementation.

FIG. 1B is a left side elevation view of the handheld pet spray wand ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a right side elevation view of the handheld pet spray wand ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a top plan view of the handheld pet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E is a bottom plan view of the handheld pet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the components of the handheldpet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3A is a side isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a handlestem for the handheld pet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged distal end isometric view of the handle stem ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a proximal end, side isometric view of an exemplaryembodiment of a handle grip of the handheld pet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4B is a distal end, side isometric view of the handle grip of FIG.4A.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a control ringcomponent of the handheld pet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 6A is a proximal end isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of avalve body component of the handheld pet spray wand of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6B is a distal end isometric view of the valve body of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a proximal end isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of avalve seat component of the handheld pet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 7B is a distal end isometric view of the valve seat of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a valve sealcomponent of the handheld pet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a transitioncover component of the handheld pet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 10A is a proximal end isometric view of an exemplary embodiment ofa bottom housing component of a nozzle wand of the handheld pet spraywand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 10B is a top isometric view of the bottom housing component of FIG.10A.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a connectorshaft component of the handheld pet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 12 is a bottom isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a tophousing component of a nozzle wand section of the handheld pet spraywand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 13A is a proximal end isometric view of an exemplary embodiment ofa hanger cap component of the handheld pet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 13B is a distal end isometric view of the hanger cap of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14A is an isometric view of a first cross-section of the handheldpet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 14B is an isometric view of a second cross-section of the handheldpet spray wand of FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary implementation of a handheld pet spray wand 2 is shown inFIGS. 1A through 1E. The pet spray wand 2 may be primarily composed of ahandle section 4, a mode selector section 6, and a nozzle wand section8. The handle section 4 may be sized to be easily grasped by the user'shand and may further have surface features provided to allow a user tomaintain a firm grip in a wet environment. Mode control section 6 may bepositioned distal to the handle section 4 for ease of use by the userwhen holding the handle portion 4. The nozzle wand section 8 extendsfurther distally from the mode selector section 6 in an elongatedarcuate form. The form of the nozzle wand section 8 is designed toconform to the body of a pet during a washing or bathing process.

Components of Handheld Pet Spray Wand

The major components of the handheld pet spray wand 2 are indicated inFIGS. 1B through 1 E as well as in FIG. 2. The handle section 4 may becomposed of an exemplary embodiment handle stem 10 surrounded by ahandle grip 20. The mode selector section 6 may include a control ring30 bounded on proximal and distal ends by trim rings 72 a and 72 b. Atransition cover 70 may extend distally from the control ring 30 as thehandheld pet spray wand 2 transitions from the mode selector section 6to the nozzle wand section 8. Nozzle wand section 8 may be composed of abottom housing 80, a top housing 82, and a hanger cap 84 positioned at adistal end of the top and bottom housings 80, 82. As shown in FIGS. 1Band 1C, sidewall trim pieces 88 a, 88 b may be interposed between thebottom housing 80 and the top housing 82.

The handle stem 10 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Thehandle stem 10 may primarily be defined by a stem shaft 102 formed as ahollow cylinder defining a shaft lumen 118. Threading 104 may be formedon the proximal end 100 of the stem shaft 102. The threading 104 may beused to connect the handheld pet spray wand 2 to a hose that isconnected to the water supply source. Immediately distal to thethreading 104 are a pair of opposing bayonet tabs 106 a, 106 b onopposing sides of the stem shaft. The bayonet tabs 106 a, 106 b may beformed as arcuate ridges extending for a discrete distance aroundopposing circumferential portions of the stem shaft 102. Toward thedistal end 101 of the handle stem 10, the stem shaft 102 increases indiameter to form a shoulder 108. A slightly larger collar 112 is formedon the handle stem 10 distal to the shoulder 108. A pair of opposinglock tabs 110 a, 110 b may be formed on a surface of the shoulder 108immediately proximal and adjacent to the collar 112. The lock tabs 110a, 110 b may be formed as cantilevered strings having a base thatattaches to the shoulder 108 and a ledge that extends outward from thebase a short distance circumferentially around the shoulder 108 todefine a gap between the cantilevered portion of the lock tabs 110 a,110 b and the shoulder 108.

An annular lip 114 extends distally from the collar 112 at the distalend 101 of the handle stem. As shown in FIG. 3B, a pair plunger recesses116 a, 116 b may be formed in an end surface of the annular lip 114. Theplunger recesses 116 a, 116 b may be slight indentations in the annularlip. The plunger recesses 116 a, 116 b may be formed at opposing ends ofa diameter extending across the annular lip 114.

Further as shown in FIG. 3B, a collet 120 may be arranged within theshaft lumen 118 of the handle stem 10. The collet 120 is a cylindricalring supported within the center of the shaft lumen 118 by a number ofstruts 122 extending radially inward from an inner wall extending alongthe length of the shoulder 108 and the collar 112. A receiving aperture124 may be defined within the center of the collet 120. The receivingaperture 124 is primarily cylindrical but may have a keyed surface 126.In this exemplary embodiment, the keyed surface 126 is shown as a flatwall in the otherwise cylindrical receiving aperture 124. However, othershapes or forms of a key could be defined within the inner wall of thecollet 120 defining the receiving aperture 124. Further as shown in FIG.3B, a number of arcuate passages 128 may be formed between and boundedby the inner walls of the shoulder 108 and collar 112, the struts 122,and an outer wall surface of the collet 120. The arcuate passages 128are in fluid communication with the shaft lumen 118 extending throughthe length of the stem shaft 102.

An exemplary embodiment of the handle grip 20 is shown in greater detailin FIGS. 4A and 4B. The handle grip 20 may be formed as a barrel 202that is sized to cover a majority of the handle stem 10. An outersurface of the barrel 202 may be formed with longitudinal grip ridges204 or other grip enhancing surface features, for example, fluting orknurling, in order to provide the user a slip resistant grip on thehandheld pet spray wand 2 in a wet environment. Barrel 202 defines ahandle lumen 210 through which the handle stem 10 is received. As shownin FIG. 4A, an inner surface 212 of the barrel 202 defines a bayonetslide recess 214 capped at the proximal end 207 by proximal wall 206. Asecond bayonet slide recess (not viewable) is similarly capped by asecond proximal wall 206 directly circumferentially opposite from theother proximal wall 206. Two of the opposing bayonet lock recesses 216are defined within the inner surface 212 between the two proximal endwalls 206. The bayonet slide recesses 214 are each connected to acorresponding bayonet lock recess 216 by a gap between the inner surface212 and a respective adjacent proximal wall 206.

The distal end 208 of the handle grip 20 is shown in FIG. 4B. A numberof tab slots 220, in this exemplary embodiment 4, are formed within theinner surface 212 of the barrel 202 adjacent the distal end 208. The tabslots 218 may extend a distance circumferentially around the innersurface 212 and may be sloped from a shallow end on one side to a deeperas the tab slots 218 extend in a clockwise direction circumferentiallywhen viewed from the distal end 208 as shown in FIG. 4B.

An exemplary embodiment of a control ring 30 in the mode selectorsection 6 is depicted in FIG. 5. An outer surface of the control ring 30may be formed with knurls 302 defined between recessed pockets 304circumferentially around the control ring 30. An aperture 306 may beformed axially through a center of the control ring 30 bounded by anannular inner wall 308. A rectangular slot 310 may be formed within theinner wall 308 extending from a proximal end 312 to a distal end 314 ofthe control ring 30 parallel to the axis of the aperture 306.

An exemplary embodiment of a valve body 40 is depicted in FIGS. 6A and6B. The valve body 40 may be a cylindrically shaped component defined bya cylindrical outer wall 406 extending towards a proximal end 402 awayfrom a base wall 412 at a distal end 404. A key ridge 408 may be formedon and extend radially outward from an outer surface of the outer wall406. The key ridge 408 may be generally rectangular in shape and extendslinearly from the proximal end 402 to the distal end 404 in parallelwith a longitudinal axis of the valve body 40. A cylindrical boss 414may extend proximally outward from the base wall 412 and may be boundedby, but separated from, the outer wall 406 of the valve body 40. Adiameter of the cylindrical boss 414 may be less than a diameter of theouter wall 406, for example, approximately one third the diameter of theouter wall 406 in order to form a cavity between the cylindrical boss414 and an inner wall 410 of the valve body 40. The inner wall 410 maynot extend as far toward the proximal end 402 as the outer wall 406 suchthat a shelf 411 is formed by a top surface of the inner wall 410.

The cylindrical boss 414 further defines a through hole 416 that extendscompletely through the base wall 412 of the valve body 40. In addition,two diametrically opposed detent pockets 418 a, 418 b are formed bywalls extending semicircularly between the inner wall 410 and thecylindrical boss 414. Corresponding detent apertures 420 a, 420 b areformed through the base wall 412 within each of the detent pockets 418a, 418 b. A single arcuate hole 422 (i.e., in the shape of a bent orcurved trapezoid) is formed within the base wall 412 between the innerwall 410 and the cylindrical boss 414 on one side of the valve body 40between the opposing detent pockets 418 a, 418 b. As shown in FIG. 6B,an outer face 424 of the base wall 412 on the distal side 404 of thevalve body 40 is flat and is only interrupted by the through hole 416,the detent apertures 420 a, 420 b, and the arcuate hole 422.

An exemplary embodiment of a valve seat 50 within the mode selectorsection 6 of the handheld pet spray wand 2 is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 7A and 7B. A proximal side 502 of the valve seat 50 is depicted inFIG. 7A. An outer circumference of the valve seat 50 is defined by anannular rim 506 that extends outward from a recessed face 512. A numberof pad surfaces similarly extend proximally outward from the recessedface 512. Two large arcuate pads 508 a, 508 b extend proximally outwardfrom the recessed face on opposing sides of a shaft hole 514 definedthrough the axial center of the valve seat 50. The large arcuate pads508 a, 508 b are separated by a pair of small arcuate pads 510 a, 510 bthat similarly are positioned on opposing sides of the shaft hole 514.Each of the large arcuate pads 508 a, 508 b and small arcuate pads 510a, 510 b are separated laterally from each other by seal channels 516that form part of the recessed face 512. Similarly, radially inner edgesof each of the large and small arcuate pads 508 a, 508 b, 510 a, 510 bare spaced apart from the shaft hole 514 such that a ring shaped portionof the seal channel 516 is formed around the shaft hole 514. Further,each of the large and small arcuate pads 508 a, 508 b, 510 a, 510 b arespaced apart from the rim 506 such that an annular portion of the sealchannel 516 is formed adjacent the rim 506.

Each of the large arcuate pads 508 a defines a corresponding arcuateport 518 a, 518 b extending entirely through the body of the valve seat50 from the proximal side 502 to a distal side 504. The arcuate ports518 a, 518 b do not extend the entire arc length of their correspondinglarge arcuate pad 508 a, 508 b, but rather only extend along a portionof the arc length. Sloped channels 520 a, 520 b are formed withinportions of the large arcuate pads 508 a, 508 b adjacent to each of thearcuate ports 518 a, 518 b. The sloped channels 520 a, 520 b start froma shallow end and extend toward a deeper end that empties into thearcuate ports 518 a, 518 b, respectively. Each of the small arcuate pads510 a, 510 b defines a small trickle hole 522 a, 522 b, respectively,through the thickness of the valve seat 50 from the proximal side 502 tothe distal side 504.

The distal side 504 of the valve seat 50 is depicted in FIG. 7B. Asshown, each of the arcuate ports 518 a, 518 b and the trickle holes 522a, 522 b extend through the valve seat 50 to the distal side 504.Adjacent pairs of the arcuate ports 518 a, 518 b and trickle holes 522a, 522 b empty into respective cavities defined within and recessed froma distal face 525 of the valve seat 50. A large nozzle cavity 530contains a first arcuate port 518 a and a first trickle hole 522 a andis bounded by a semicircular half of a perimeter wall 528, asemicircular half of a ring wall 524 surrounding the shaft hole 514, andtwo radial dividing walls 526 extending along a diameter of the valveseat 50. A small nozzle cavity 532 contains a second arcuate port 518 band a second trickle hole 522 b and is bounded by a semicircular portionof the perimeter wall, a semicircular portion of a ring wall 524surrounding the shaft hold 514, and the two dividing walls 526. Thelarge nozzle cavity 530 is thus a semicircular arcuate space in one halfof the valve seat 50 and the small nozzle cavity 532 is likewise asemicircular space opposite the large nozzle cavity 530.

In addition, interface feature such as an alignment post 534 extendsdistally outward from the distal side 504 of the valve seat 50. Thealignment post 534 is cylindrical but may be formed in other shape. Thealignment post 534 is positioned radially inward from the perimeter wall528 and thus extends from within the large nozzle cavity 530.

An exemplary embodiment of a valve seal 60 is depicted in FIG. 8. Thevalve seal may be configured to fit within the seal channels 516 formedon the proximal side 502 of the valve seat 50. The valve seal 60 may becomposed of an elastomeric or rubber material in order to form awatertight seal between the valve body 40 and the valve seat 50. Thevalve seal 60 may be formed with an inner ring 602, an outer ring 604,and a number of spokes 606 extending between the inner ring 602 and theouter ring 604.

An exemplary embodiment of a transition cover 70 for the handheld petspray wand 2 covers a portion of the mode selector 6 as it transitionsinto the nozzle wand 8 as depicted in FIG. 9. The transition cover 70may be formed as a hollow body having an outer surface 706 and an innersurface 708 defined between openings in the proximal end 702 and distalend 704. The body of the transition cover 70 may taper somewhatamorphously from the proximal end 702 to the distal end 704. Theproximal end 702 may be formed in a circular shape in order to makeadjacent to the control ring 30. The distal end 704 may be formed morein the shape of a rounded rectangle to transition into the crosssectional shape of the nozzle wand 8. A pair of clip tabs 710 a, 710 bmay extend radially inward from opposing top and bottom positions on theinner surface 708 of the transition cover 70 adjacent the proximal end702.

An exemplary embodiment of a bottom housing component 80 of the nozzlewand portion 8 of the handheld pet spray wand 2 as depicted in FIGS. 10Aand 10B. FIG. 10A shows the bottom housing 80 from a proximal end 800thereof. An outer circumference of the proximal end 800 of the bottomhousing 80 is defined by an annular lip 804 that extends proximallyoutward from an annular seat rim 806 that is recessed from and extendsradially inward from the annular lip 804. An interface feature such as apost boss 812 extends radially inward as a tab from an edge of the seatrim 806 and defines a post aperture 814 therethrough.

A shaft ring 808 is suspended within an aperture defined by the seat rim806 by a pair of opposing shaft ring struts 810 that extend radiallyinward from the seat rim 806 to connect with the shaft ring 808. Aconnector shaft 90 extends proximally outward from the shaft ring 808.Two separate fluid chambers are formed on opposing sides of the shaftring 808 and further separated by the shaft ring struts 810. A largenozzle chamber 816 is defined on a first side of the shaft ring 808 andis in fluid communication with a long nozzle channel 824 that is furtherdefined within the bottom housing 80. A short nozzle chamber 818 isdefined on the opposite side of the shaft ring 808 and is in fluidcommunication with the short nozzle channel 828 also defined within thebottom housing 80. Portions of the large nozzle chamber 816 and shortnozzle chamber 818 may be defined by a recessed flow cavity 820 dividedin half by one of the shaft ring struts 810.

The bottom housing 80 extends distally in the form of an elongatedarcuate base wall 836. Two separate longitudinal, linear arrays ofnozzles extend proximally from a distal end 802 along portions of thelength of the base wall 836 toward a connector end 805 of the bottomhousing 80. A long nozzle array 822 extends a majority of the lengthfrom the distal end 802 to the connection structure 805 of the bottomhousing 80. A short nozzle array 826 may extend only a portion of thelength of the base wall 836. In one exemplary embodiment as depicted,the short nozzle array 826 may be positioned adjacent to the distal end802 of the bottom housing 80 and extend only half the length of the basewall 836 toward the proximal end 800. Each of the nozzle openings withinthe base wall may be formed or molded directly within the base wall 836.In other embodiments apertures may be formed in the base wall 836 andfitted with separate plastic or elastomeric nozzle fittings.

As shown in the figures, each of the long nozzle array 822 and the shortnozzle array 826 may be formed as two longitudinal rows of adjacentnozzles staggered with respect to each other. Each of the long nozzlechannel 824 and the short nozzle channel 828 may be formed by channelwalls that extend from the connection structure 805 at the proximal end800 of the bottom housing 80 to the distal end 802. The channel walls830 extend upward from the base wall 836 and define two parallelchannels along the length of the base wall 836. Nozzle apertures for thelong nozzle array 822 are formed within the base wall 836 within thebounds of the long nozzle channel 824. Similarly, the openings for theshort nozzle array 826 are formed within the bounds of the short nozzlechannel 828. The long nozzle channel 824 is separated from the shortnozzle channel 828 by a middle wall of the channel walls 830. Thechannel walls 830 may further define cover shelves 832 a, 832 b thatextend around the perimeters of the long nozzle channel 824 and theshort nozzle channel 828, respectively.

Catch clip pockets 834 may be defined at top and bottom positions of theconnector structure 805 immediately distal to the annular lip 804. Thebase wall 836 of the bottom housing 80 may wrap upward to form sidewalls838 along the length of the nozzle portion 815 such that gaps 840 areformed between each of the sidewalls 838 in the exterior channel walls830.

An exemplary embodiment of a connector shaft component 90 for connectionwith the bottom housing 80 and other components of the handheld petspray wand 2 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 11. The connector shaft90 may be generally cylindrically shaped along its actual length. Acenter spindle section 906 is fully cylindrical in form and comprises amajority of the length of the connector shaft 90. An engagement shaftportion 908 extends from the distal end 904 of the spindle section 906.The engagement shaft 908 is cylindrical but has a smaller diameter thana diameter of the spindle section 906. A number of retention rings 910a, 910 b may be formed circumferentially on the engagement shaft 908. Asshown a first retention ring 910 a is positioned at the distal end 904of the engagement shaft while a second retention ring 910 b ispositioned at an intermediate location between the distal end 904 andthe end of the spindle section 906. The retention rings 910 a, 910 b maybe formed as annular ridges around the engagement shaft 908 and mayfurther define a number of axially aligned notches along thecircumference thereof.

A keyed shaft 912 may extend from the proximal end of the spindlesection 906. The keyed shaft is primarily cylindrical having a diametersmaller than the diameter of the spindle section 906. A keyed surface914 may interrupt the cylindrical shape of the outer surface of thekeyed shaft 912. The keyed surface 914 may be formed to mate with thekeyed surface 126 within the collet 120 of the handle stem 10. Athreaded bore hole 916 may be formed and centered axially within thekeyed shaft 912 and is open to the proximal end 902.

An exemplary embodiment of a top housing component 82 for attachment tothe bottom housing component 80 of the handheld pet spray wand 2 asdepicted in FIG. 12. The top housing 82 may have a smooth arcuate topsurface 858 of a same width as the width of the bottom housing 80.Opposing sidewalls 846 may extend downward from the lateral edges of thetop surface 858 and extend the length of the top housing 82. A number ofsupport walls 848 may run the length of the top housing 82 from theproximal end 842 to a position adjacent to but spaced apart from thedistal end 844 three longitudinal support walls 848 may run in parallelextending downward from the top surface 858 and may be spaced apart andsized to align with the channel walls 830 in the bottom housing 80. Anumber of buttresses 850 may be formed between the support walls 848 andmay extend from the top surface 858 downward beyond the height of thesupport walls 848. The buttresses 850 may be further attached laterallyto each adjacent support wall 848 by tabs for additional support.

Support walls 848 and any corresponding buttresses 850 located adjacentto proximal end 842 may be sloped downward toward the proximal end 842in order to better conform to the structure of the bottom housing 80.Similar to the structure of the bottom housing 80, the sidewalls 846 ofthe top housing 82 may be spaced slightly apart from the outside supportwalls 848 in order to form gaps 852 there between running the length ofthe top housing. An end wall 854 may be formed to cap the ends of thesupport walls 848 at the distal end 844 of the top housing. A pair oflatch fingers 856 may extend distally from the end wall spaced laterallyapart along the width of the end wall. The catches of the latch fingers856 may be directed inwardly toward each other.

An exemplary embodiment of a hanger cap component 84 of the nozzle wandportion 8 of the handheld pet spray wand 2 is depicted in greater detailin FIGS. 13A and 13B. The hanger cap 84 is defined primarily by anoblong base plate 860 and a U-shaped bridge 866 extending from a distalside 872 of the base plate 860. A bridge aperture 868 is defined betweenthe bridge 866 and the base plate 860 legs of the bridge 866 may bespaced apart laterally as wide as a width of the base plate 860. A pairof latch fingers 862 may extend proximally outward from a proximal side870 of the base plate 860. Catches of the latch fingers 862 may beoriented outward toward the lateral edges of the base plate 860. Inaddition a number of alignment blocks 864 may extend outward from theproximal side 870 of the base plate 860.

Assembly of Handheld Pet Spray Wand

The following discussion details an exemplary method for assembling thecomponents of the handheld pet spray wand 2 of FIG. 1A. The methoddescribed is exemplary only and other methods or orders of operation maybe used to assemble the handheld pet spray wand 2.

In one embodiment the proximal end 100 of the handle stem 10 may beinserted into the handle lumen 210 at the distal end 208 of the handlegrip 20. The handle stem 10 may be oriented such that the bayonet tabs106 a, 106 b are aligned with the bayonet slide recesses 214 within theinner surface 212 of the handle grip 20. When the bayonet tabs 106 a,106 b reach and abut against the proximal wall 206 of the handle grip20, the handle stem 10 may be rotated counterclockwise when viewed fromthe distal end 208 and the handle grip 20 such that the bayonet tabs 106a, 106 b seat within the bayonet lock recesses 216 in the inner surface212 of the handle grip 20. Simultaneously during such counterclockwiserotation, the lock tabs 110 a, 110 b may slide into the tab slots 218 inthe inner surface of the handle grip 20 at the distal end 208 of thehandle grip 20. In this way the handle stem 10 will be locked within thebarrel 202 of the handle grip 20 with the threading 104 of the handlestem 10 extending out of the handle lumen 210 beyond the proximal end207 of the handle grip 20.

The connector shaft 90 may next be attached to the shaft ring 808 in thebottom housing 80. The engagement shaft 908 of the connector shaft 90may be inserted into the shaft ring 808 of the bottom housing 80 suchthat the spindle section 906 abuts against the shaft ring 808 of thebottom housing 80. The engagement shaft 908 may be adhered or otherwisefixed within an aperture defined within the shaft ring 808. In theexemplary embodiment shown of the connector shaft 90 may be a machinedor cast brass piece, or other anti-corrosive metal, and the bottomhousing 80 may be insert molded around the engagement shaft 908 suchthat the retention rings 910 a, 910 b anchor the connector shaft 90within the molded plastic of the bottom housing 80.

The mode selector portion 6 may next be assembled. Initially, the valveseat 50 may be aligned with the proximal end 800 of the bottom housing80 such that the alignment post 534 on the distal side 504 of the valveseat 50 seats within the post aperture 814 of the post boss 812. Thedistal face 525 of the valve seat 50 should seat flush against the seatrim 806 of the bottom housing 80. Similarly the dividing wall 526 andthe ring wall 524 will seat against the shaft ring 808 and the shaftring struts 810 of the bottom housing 80. In this manner the largenozzle cavity 530 on the valve seat 50 will align with the large nozzlechamber 816 on the bottom housing 80 and the small nozzle cavity 532 onthe valve seat 50 will similarly align with the short nozzle chamber 818on the bottom housing 80. The distal side 504 of the valve seat 50 maybe fixed to the bottom housing 80 for example by sonic welding,adhesive, or other known method of attachment. In this configuration theshaft connector 90 will extend through the shaft hole 514 in the valveseat 50 in proximal direction.

The valve seal 60 may next be seated on the recessed face 512 on theproximal side 502 of the valve seat 50. The outer ring 604, the innerring 602, and the spoke 606 seat within the seal channels 516 of thevalve seat 50 and thus surround each of the arcuate pads. The valve seal60 may be made of a rubber or other elastomeric material in order toprevent leakage of water flow through the mode selector portion 6. Thevalve seal 60 may be of a thickness such that it extends proximallybeyond the height of the rim 506 and the arcuate pads on the proximalside 502 of the valve seat 50. At this point the distal trim ring 72 bmay be placed over the outer circumference of the valve seat 50.

The detent springs 76 a, 76 b may be inserted into the cavities in thedetent plungers 74 a, 74 b. The detent plungers 74 a, 74 b may then beinserted into respective detent pockets 418 within the valve body 40such that the plunger tips 75 extend through the dented apertures 420.Next the valve body 40 may be inserted within the aperture 306 of thecontrol ring 30 such that the key ridge 408 on the outer wall 406 of thevalve body 40 is aligned with and slides within the slot 310 of theinner wall 308 of the control ring 30. Then the proximal trim ring 72 amay be seated circumferentially around the collar 112 of the handle stem10 protruding distally out of the distal end 208 of the handle grip 20.Next the annular U-cup seal 58 may be placed around the outer surface ofthe annular lip 114 to abut against an end face of the collar 112 of thehandle stem 10. Further the control ring 30 with the valve body 40seated therein may be placed against the handle stem 10 such that theproximal end 312 of the control ring 30 seats on top of a portion of theouter surface of the collar 112 while the outer wall 406 of the valvebody 40 slips around the annular lip 114 of the handle stem such that aproximal face of the outer wall 406 abuts against the U-cup seal 58 tocreate a water tight seal between the handle stem 10 and the valve body40.

Assembly of the mode selector portion 6 may then be completed byinserting the connector shaft 90 through the through hole 416 in thecylindrical boss 414 of the valve body 40 such that the spindle section906 seats within the cylindrical boss 414. Further, the keyed shaft 912may be inserted into the collet 120 of the handle stem 10 such that thekeyed surface 126 of the collet 120 aligns with the keyed surface 914 ofthe keyed shaft 912 of the connector shaft 90. A screw 78 may beinserted into the shaft lumen 118 from the proximal end 100 of thehandle stem 10 when screwed into the threaded blind hole 916 in aproximal end 902 of the keyed shaft 912. The keyed shaft 912 may besized such that its length is coextensive with a thickness of the collet120. Further the length and size of the head of the screw 78 may beselected such that when the screw is completely fastened within thethreaded blind hole 916, the head of the screw abuts against a proximalend of the collet 120 to thereby hold the handle portion 4 and the modeselector portion 6 of the handheld pet spray wand 2 to the bottomhousing 80 of the nozzle wand portion 8. The length of the connectorshaft 90 and the various components of the mode selector portion 6 maybe chosen such that the screw 78 compresses the components togetherenough to ensure water tight seals are achieved by the U-cup seal 58 andthe valve seal 60 while still allowing freedom of rotation of the valvebody 40 against the valve seat 50.

The remainder of the nozzle wand portion 8 may be constructed. Initiallythe channel covers 86 a, 86 b may be placed within each of the longnozzle channel 824 and the short nozzle channel 828, respectively, thechannel covers 86 a, 86 b may be fixed within the nozzle channels 824,828 in order to create a water tight seal. This may be accomplished byusing a water tight adhesive or by sonically welding the channel covers86 a, 86 b to the cover shelves 832 a, 832 b, or by other known methods.Once the channel covers are in place, the sidewall trim 88 a, 88 b maybe placed along the sidewalls 838 of the bottom housing 80 such that abottom edge of each of the sidewall trim pieces 88 a, 88 b seats withinthe gaps 840 between each of the sidewalls 838 and the channel walls830. Next the top housing 82 may be placed on top of the bottom housing80 such that top edges of the sidewall trim pieces 88 a, 88 b fit withinthe gaps 852 between the sidewalls 846 and the support walls 848 of thetop housing 82. Further is the top housing 82 is placed upon the bottomhousing 80, the buttresses 850 may be placed against the channel covers86 a, 86 b in order to further hold the channel covers 86 a, 86 b inplace. The top housing 82, the sidewall trim pieces 88 a, 88 b, and thebottom housing 80 may then all be fixed together for example withadhesive or by ultrasonically welding the components together.

The transition cover 70 may be placed over the assembled housing 80, 82at a distal end thereof and slid along a length of the housing 80, 82until the proximal end 702 of the transition cover abuts against thedistal trim ring 72 b surrounding the valve seat 50. The clip tabs 710a, 710 b may seat within corresponding clip latches 834 in a connectionstructure 805 adjacent to the annular lip 804 of the bottom housing 80in order to secure the transition cover 70 to the bottom housing. Thedistal end 704 of the transition cover extends over the proximal end 842of the top housing 82 and along the base wall 836 of the bottom housingin order to provide a smooth transition from the mode selector portion 6to the nozzle wand portion 8.

Finally the hanger cap is attached to the distal end of the top andbottom housing 82, 80. The latch fingers 862 on the base plate 860 ofthe hanger cap may engage the corresponding latch fingers 856 on the endwall 854 of the top housing. The alignment blocks 864 extending from thebase plate 860 of the hanger cap may seat against the top surface 858 ofthe top housing 82 and the base wall 836 of the bottom housing 80 inorder to prevent the hanger cap 84 from sliding up and down on the endof the housing 80, 82.

Operation of the Handheld Pet Spray Wand

An exemplary embodiment of the handheld pet spray wand 2 may be operatedin a number of modes based upon user selection through the mode selectorportion 6. Operation of the mode selector 6 can actuate water flowthrough different groupings of nozzles as well as change the volume ofwater flow through the nozzle wand portion 8. As a preliminary step, theuser must attach the handle portion 4 for the handheld pet spray wand 2to a water source. Typically a hose connected to a water source will bescrewed onto the threading 104 of the handle stem 10. Water can thenflow through the shaft lumen 118 of the handle stem and around thecollet 120 at the distal end 101 of the handle stem through the arcuatepassages 128. At this point water will encounter the proximal end 402 ofthe valve body 40 and may reach the arcuate hole 422 in the base wall412 of the valve body 40 regardless of the rotational orientation of thevalve body 40. As noted, the distal side 404 of the base wall 412 of thevalve body 40 seats against the valve seal 60 mounted within the sealchannels 516 on the proximal side 502 of the valve seat 50.

As the user turns the control ring 30 either clockwise orcounterclockwise, the inner face between the key ridge 408 on the valvebody 40 and the slot 310 in the control ring 30 rotates the base wall412 on the distal side 404 of the valve body against the proximal side502 of the valve seat 50 to variously align the arcuate hole 422 withrespect to various apertures in the valve seat 50. For example, if thevalve body 40 is rotated such that the arcuate hole 422 is aligned withthe small arcuate pad 510 a, then water will flow through the arcuatehole 422 through the trickle hole 522 a into the large nozzle cavity 530on the distal side 404 of the valve seat 50 and ultimately through thelong nozzle chamber 816 in the bottom housing 80 and into the longnozzle channel. Alternatively if the valve body is rotated 180 degreesfrom the prior position the arcuate hole 422 would be seated over theopposite small arcuate pad 510 b and water would flow through thetrickle hole 522 b into the small nozzle cavity 532 on the distal side504 of the valve seat and then through the short nozzle chamber 818 inthe bottom housing 80 to ultimately reach the short nozzle channel 828.The fluid flow through the trickle holes 522 a, 522 b is a very lowvolume, low pressure flow. Flow through the first trickle hole 522 awill ultimately exit through the nozzles of the large nozzle array 822on the nozzle wand 8. Similarly water flowing through the second tricklehole 522 b will eventually flow through the nozzles of the short nozzlearray 826 on the nozzle wand 8.

It may be noted that in the exemplary embodiment of the handheld petspray wand 2 depicted in the figures, the plunger tips 75 of the detentplungers 74 a, 74 b will seat in the plunger recesses 116 a, 116 b inthe annular lip 114 of the handle stem 10 when the arcuate hole 422 ofthe valve body is directly aligned with the small arcuate pads 510 a,510 b. In other embodiments the plunger recesses 116 a, 116 b may belocated at other positions about the circumference of the annular lip inorder to indicate different flow modes other than the trickle modes. Inanother alternative embodiment, more than two plunger recesses may beprovided on the annular lip 114 in order to indicate exact positions ofother flow modes to the user via the tactile feedback of the detentplunger 74 a, 74 b entering and leaving plunger recesses. In furtheralternative embodiments, only one detent plunger may be used to indicatevarious flow modes of the handheld pet spray wand 2.

As the user rotates the control ring 30 to move the arcuate hole 422 inthe valve body 40 over either of the large arcuate pads 508 a, 508 b,different spray modes with different volumes and pressures may beeffected. For example, when the control ring 30 is rotated in aclockwise direction as considered from the proximal end of the handheldpet spray wand, the arcuate hole 422 may begin to move over the slopedchannels 520 a, 520 b on the large arcuate pads 508 a, 508 b. Iftolerances are close, the base wall 412 of the valve body 40 will pressagainst both the small arcuate pads 510 a, 510 b and the large arcuatepads 508 a, 508 b as it moves from one to the other providing noopportunity for water flow other than into the sloped channels 520 a,520 b as the arcuate hole 422 begins to move across the large arcuatepads 508 a, 508 b.

As noted, the sloped channels 520 a, 520 b start very shallow and becomedeeper as they extend clockwise and ultimately empty into the arcuateports 518 a, 518 b. When the arcuate hole 422 covers only a smallportion of a sloped channel 520 a, 520 b, a very low volume and lowpressure flow will be able to enter the sloped channels 520 a, 520 b andultimately enter the arcuate ports 518 a, 518 b to reach the nozzle wandportion 8. However as the arcuate hole 422 moves further clockwise, thegreater depth of the sloped channels 520 a, 520 b will allow for agraduated or increased volume of water flow into the arcuate ports 518a, 518 b. Further along the arcuate hole 422 against pass over thearcuate ports 518 a, 518 b an even greater volume of water may pass intothe arcuate ports 518 a, 518 b. Finally, when the arcuate hole 422 seatsdirectly over and is coextensive with a respective arcuate port 518 a,518 b, a largest volume of fluid flow into the nozzle wand portion 8will be achieved.

Therefore when the arcuate hole 422 of the valve body 40 arrases overthe sloped channel 520 a and arcuate port 518 a of the large arcuate pad508 a fluid flow will enter the large nozzle cavity 530 on the distalside 504 of the valve seat 50 to then pass through the long nozzlechamber 816 in the bottom housing and ultimately flow into the longnozzle channel 824 in the nozzle portion 815. Alternatively, when thearcuate hole 422 of the valve body 40 is seated over the sloped channel520 b and arcuate port 518 b of the large arcuate pad 508 b on the valveseat 50, fluid flow enters the small nozzle cavity 532 on the distalside 508 of the valve seat to ultimately travel through the short nozzlechamber 818 and into the short nozzle channel 828 of the nozzle portion815.

As best shown in FIG. 1 E, the long nozzle array 822 on the nozzleportion 815 of the handheld pet spray wand 2 may be approximately twiceas long as the short nozzle array 826 on the nozzle portion 815 both ofthe nozzle arrays 822, 826 may be arranged in a linear fashion toprovide an arc spray pattern to better bathe or wash a pet. For example,the arcuate shape of the nozzle wand portion 8 may conveniently directwater over the back of a dog. If the user has a large dog, the user maychoose to direct flow through the long nozzle channel 824 and thus limitspray to flow through the long nozzle array 822. Alternatively if theuser has a small pet, the user may use the control ring 30 to selectfluid flow through the short nozzle chamber 818 and thus direct fluidspray through the short nozzle array 826. When not in use, the fluidsupply may be turned off and the handheld pet spray wand may beconveniently hung by placing the bridge 866 of the hanger cap 84 over ahook, nail, or other convenient support structure.

All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower,upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top,bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise,and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aidthe reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not createlimitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of theinvention. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected,and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediatemembers between a collection of elements and relative movement betweenelements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references donot necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and infixed relation to each other. The exemplary drawings are for purposes ofillustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relativesizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of theinvention as defined in the claims. Although various embodiments of theclaimed invention have been described above with a certain degree ofparticularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments,those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to thedisclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of theclaimed invention. Other embodiments are therefore contemplated. It isintended that all matter contained in the above description and shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only ofparticular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structuremay be made without departing from the basic elements of the inventionas defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handheld spray wand comprising: a fluid inlet;and a nozzle portion in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, thenozzle portion comprising: a first nozzle array extending along alongitudinal direction of the nozzle portion; a second nozzle arraypositioned adjacent to the first nozzle array and extending along thelongitudinal direction of the nozzle portion, wherein nozzles within thefirst nozzle array and the second nozzle array are staggered to define astaggered water pattern as water exits the nozzle portion.
 2. Thehandheld spray wand 1, further comprising a handle portion coupled tothe nozzle portion, wherein the handle portion is arranged at a firstend of the spray wand and nozzles from the first nozzle array and thesecond nozzle array are arranged at a second end of the spray wand,opposite of the first end.
 3. The handheld spray wand of claim 2,wherein a first nozzle of the first nozzle array is positioned closer tothe handle portion than a first nozzle of the second nozzle array. 4.The handheld spray wand of claim 2, further comprising a flow controlvalve positioned between a terminal end of the handle and the first endof the spray wand.
 5. The handheld spray wand of claim 1, wherein thefirst nozzle array extends across a longer length of the nozzle portionthan the second nozzle array.
 6. The handheld spray wand of claim 1,further comprising a handle stem extending from the nozzle portion andoriented in a first plane different from the nozzle portion.
 7. Thehandheld spray wand of claim 6, further comprising a transition betweenthe handle stem and the nozzle portion, wherein the transition defines achange of direction of elongation for the spray wand.
 8. A handheldshowerhead comprising: a handle portion configured to be fluidlyconnected to a water source; a nozzle portion coupled to the handleportion, the nozzle portion comprising: a first plurality of nozzlesarranged in a line along a length of the nozzle portion; and a secondplurality of nozzles arranged in a line along a length of the nozzleportion and positioned adjacent to and staggered relative to the firstplurality of nozzles.
 9. The handheld showerhead of claim 8, wherein thefirst plurality of nozzles and the second plurality of nozzles areparallel.
 10. The handheld showerhead of claim 8, wherein the nozzleportion extends at an angle relative to the handle portion.
 11. Thehandheld showerhead of claim 8, wherein the first plurality of nozzlesand the second plurality of nozzles together define a first nozzlearray.
 12. The handheld showerhead of claim 11, further comprising asecond nozzle array including a first row of nozzles and a second row ofnozzles, wherein the first row of nozzles and the second row of nozzlesin the second nozzle array are staggered relative to one another. 13.The handheld showerhead of claim 8, wherein the first row of nozzles andthe second row of nozzles have the same number of nozzles.
 14. Thehandheld showerhead of claim 8, wherein a terminal end of the handledefines a first end of the handheld showerhead and a terminal end of thenozzle portion, opposite of the terminal end of the handle, defines asecond end of the handheld showerhead.
 15. The handheld showerhead ofclaim 8, further comprising a control valve coupled to the handleportion and configured to vary fluid flow from the water source to thefirst row of nozzles and the second row of nozzles.
 16. A spray wandcomprising: a water inlet; a handle portion fluidly coupled to the waterinlet; and an elongated nozzle wand portion connected to the handleportion and fluidly coupled to the handle portion, the nozzle wandcomprising: a first linear row of nozzles extending a first direction; asecond linear row of nozzles extending in the first direction and offsetrelative to the first linear row of nozzles.
 17. The spray wand of claim16, wherein the first direction is a longitudinal direction of theelongated nozzle wand portion.
 18. The spray wand of claim 17, whereinthe first linear row of nozzles and the second row of nozzles areadjacent to one another.
 19. The spray wand of claim 16, wherein thefirst linear row of nozzles has the same number of nozzles as the secondlinear row of nozzles.
 20. The spay wand of claim 16, wherein theelongated nozzle wand portion extends in a non-parallel directionrelative to the handle portion.